Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus for determining network health, the network comprising a plurality of network base station transceivers in bidirectional communication with radios operating in the network and each having an identifier for the respective radio, a first radio transmitting a transmitted signal including a first identifier, the apparatus comprising: first and second devices each receiving the transmitted signal during normal over-the-air operation of the first radio, measuring signal parameters of the transmitted signal, and determining first and second operating characteristics of the first radio from the respective signal parameters, the first device producing a first received signal responsive to the transmitted signal when the first operating characteristics determined by the first device indicate that the first radio is healthy and the second device producing a second received signal responsive to the transmitted signal when the second operating characteristics determined by the second device indicate that the first radio is healthy, the first and second devices determining respective first and second signal parameters of the respective first and second received signals; wherein the first received signal is time aligned with the second received signal to insure that the first and second devices have determined the respective first and second signal parameters of the same transmitted signal; and wherein the network health is indicated by the first and second operating characteristics.
A system for checking the health of a radio network, which has base stations and radios that communicate with each other, includes two devices that listen to signals from a radio. The first radio sends out a signal that includes its ID. Each device measures signal details, figures out how well the radio is working, and determines if the radio is healthy based on those details. The devices then measure signal characteristics, but the signals are time-aligned so the devices are analyzing the same transmitted signal. The health of the network is determined by how well the radio is working, as measured by both devices.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first signal is time aligned with the second signal based on a one pulse per second signal available within the network.
In the radio network health system, the signals received by the devices are time-aligned using a one-pulse-per-second (1PPS) signal that is available within the network infrastructure. This ensures the two devices analyze data from the same signal transmission instance by synchronizing their measurements based on this common timing signal.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a third device determining a location of the first radio and a mapping device creating a network map indicative of the network health, wherein the network map provides an indication of the first and second operating characteristics at a respective location of the first and second devices for a signal transmitted from the location of the first radio.
The radio network health system includes a third device that finds the location of the radio sending the signal and a mapping tool that creates a map of the network's health. This map shows how well the radio is working, as measured by the devices, at the radio's location. The map combines radio location with device measurements to visualize network health.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second devices are located proximate first and second network base stations from among a plurality of network base stations.
In the radio network health system, the two signal measuring devices are physically located close to two of the network's base stations. This allows the devices to analyze signals received by those base stations, giving insights into network performance near those base station locations.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second devices each comprise a receiver.
In the radio network health system, each of the two devices that measure signals includes a receiver to capture the transmitted radio signal for analysis. These receivers capture the radio signal for analysis and extraction of signal parameters.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitted signal is transmitted during normal operation of the first radio without requiring interaction or manipulation of operation of the first radio.
In the radio network health system, the signal being analyzed is transmitted by the radio during its normal, everyday operation. The system does not need to change or interfere with how the radio usually works to check the network health.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first radio complies with applicable radio specifications.
In the radio network health system, the radio sending the signal follows all the standard rules and regulations that apply to radios of its type. This ensures the network health check is done on a radio that's operating correctly, according to industry standards.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising n receivers and n network base station transceivers, each receiver disposed proximate an associated network base station transceiver and receiving the transmitted signal that is intended for the associated network base station transceiver, each one of the n receivers or the associated network base station transceivers measuring signal parameters of the transmitted signal and determining nth operating characteristics of the first radio from the respective signal parameters for the signal received at the nth receiver.
In addition to the first two signal measurement devices, the radio network health system includes multiple (n) receivers, each located near a base station. Each receiver (or its associated base station) measures the signal parameters from the radio, determining operating characteristics of the radio based on received signal data. This allows the system to assess network health from multiple points in the network.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the first radio comprises a mobile radio having a plurality of different locations at different times, wherein for each one of the different locations, the first device determines a set of first operating characteristics for each signal received at the first device responsive to the transmitted signal, a number of sets of the first operating characteristics being signal parameters equal to the number of different locations; wherein for each one of the different locations, the second device determines a set of second operating characteristics for each signal received at the second device responsive to the transmitted signal, a number of sets of the second operating characteristics being signal parameters equal to the number of different locations; and wherein the network health is responsive to the sets of first operating characteristics and the sets of second operating characteristics.
In the radio network health system, the radio sending the signal is a mobile radio that moves to different locations. The system measures signal characteristics and determines the first and second operating characteristics at each location. Network health is assessed based on these operating characteristics measured across all the radio's locations.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a third device for creating a report indicating the first and second operating characteristics at a location of the first radio, wherein the network health at the location is responsive to the first and second operating characteristics.
The radio network health system includes a third device that creates a report showing how well the radio is working at its current location, based on the first and second operating characteristics from the signal measurement devices. The health of the network at that location is then determined from those operating characteristics shown in the report.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second operating characteristics each comprise one or more of RSSI, SNR, signal strength, RF frequency accuracy, RF frequency offset from an assigned frequency, timing of RF frequency offsets relative to a beginning of a message transmission, RF frequency offset variations throughout a message transmission, frequency deviation of the modulated signal, range of frequency deviations over time, amplitude variations during a message transmission, symbol frequency error, symbol clock error, modulation fidelity, bit error rate, conformance to packet structure specifications, baud rate changes during a message transmission, spurious emissions, consistent low power level irrespective of location of the transmitting device, high bit error rate irrespective of location of the transmitting device, battery charge, and a number of retries over a predetermined threshold.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to an apparatus for monitoring and analyzing multiple operating characteristics of radio frequency (RF) transmissions to detect anomalies or non-compliance with communication standards. The apparatus evaluates various signal parameters to assess the performance and reliability of RF transmissions. Key characteristics analyzed include received signal strength indicator (RSSI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal strength, RF frequency accuracy, frequency offsets from assigned frequencies, timing of frequency offsets, frequency deviation variations, amplitude fluctuations, symbol frequency and clock errors, modulation fidelity, bit error rate (BER), packet structure conformance, baud rate changes, spurious emissions, and consistent low power or high BER regardless of transmitter location. Additional metrics include battery charge levels and the number of transmission retries exceeding a predefined threshold. The apparatus is designed to identify deviations from expected performance, which may indicate hardware malfunctions, interference, or intentional signal manipulation. By monitoring these diverse characteristics, the system enhances the detection of anomalies in wireless communications, improving reliability and security in applications such as IoT devices, industrial control systems, and wireless sensor networks.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a trunked radio network.
In the radio network health system, the radio network being tested is a trunked radio network, a type of radio system that shares a small number of radio frequency channels among a large group of users.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second devices determine the first and second operating characteristics in real-time as the transmitted signal is received or store the transmitted signal and later determine determining the first and second operating characteristics.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems where devices analyze signal transmission characteristics to optimize performance. The problem addressed is the need for accurate and timely assessment of operating conditions to improve communication reliability and efficiency. The apparatus includes at least two devices that exchange a transmitted signal, with each device measuring operating characteristics such as signal strength, latency, or interference levels. These characteristics can be determined in real-time as the signal is received or by storing the signal for later analysis. The apparatus may also include a processor to compare the measured characteristics between devices, enabling adjustments to transmission parameters like power, frequency, or modulation schemes. This allows dynamic adaptation to changing environmental conditions, such as interference or signal degradation. The system may further incorporate feedback mechanisms to refine measurements and improve accuracy over time. The invention aims to enhance communication quality by ensuring devices can reliably assess and respond to operating conditions, whether in real-time or through post-transmission analysis. This approach is particularly useful in environments with variable signal conditions, such as mobile networks or IoT deployments.
14. The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second devices time-aligns the first received signal with the second received signal.
This system determines the health of a radio network. The network includes multiple base station transceivers (BTS) in two-way communication with various radios, each having a unique identifier. A specific 'first radio' transmits a signal, including its identifier, during its normal over-the-air operation. Two dedicated devices are involved, each independently receiving this transmitted signal. Each device measures signal parameters of the received signal (like signal strength, frequency, timing) and uses these to determine the 'first radio's' operating characteristics. If a device's assessment indicates the 'first radio' is healthy, it produces a corresponding 'received signal' based on the transmission. To guarantee that both devices are analyzing the exact same transmitted signal, these two 'received signals' are precisely time-aligned. This specific time alignment task is performed by at least one of these first or second devices. The overall network health is then indicated by the combined operating characteristics determined by both devices. ERROR (embedding): Error: Failed to save embedding: Could not find the 'embedding' column of 'patent_claims' in the schema cache
15. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a controller performing the time alignment of the first received signal with the second received signal.
The radio network health system includes a controller that handles the time-alignment of the received signals, ensuring the devices are analyzing measurements from the same transmitted signal.
16. An apparatus for determining network health, the network comprising base station transceivers in bidirectional communication with radios operational in the network and each having an identifier for the respective radio, a first radio operable to transmit a transmitted signal including a first identifier from a first location during normal operation of the first radio, the apparatus comprising: n signal receivers to be placed proximate each one of n base station transceivers within the network, each one of the n signal receivers: measuring signal parameters of the transmitted signal; determining operating characteristics of the first radio from the respective signal parameters; and producing an nth received signal responsive to the transmitted signal; a first device determining, for each of the operating characteristics indicating a respective transmitting radio is healthy, n sets of operating characteristics, signal parameters one set for each received signal; wherein n received signals are time aligned to ensure for the purpose of ensuring that the first device determines the n sets of operating characteristics signal parameters of the same transmitted signal; and wherein the network health is indicated by the n sets of operating characteristics.
A system for checking the health of a radio network, which has base stations and radios that communicate, uses multiple signal receivers. Each receiver is placed near a base station and measures signal parameters from a radio's transmission, determines how well the radio is working, and creates a received signal. The system analyzes the characteristics to assess radio health. The received signals are time-aligned, and the network health is based on these assessments.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first radio comprises a radio operating in compliance with applicable radio specifications.
In the radio network health system with multiple receivers, the radio transmitting the signal follows all applicable radio specifications and standards. This ensures the radio being tested adheres to regulations during the network health assessment.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first device further determines whether the signal received at each receiver is compliant with applicable packet and signal specifications.
In the radio network health system with multiple receivers, the system checks if the signal received at each receiver meets the required packet and signal specifications. This ensures signals adhere to transmission protocols.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first radio comprises a mobile radio operable at a plurality of different locations at different times, wherein, for each one of the different locations, the first device determines a set of operating characteristics of a received signal received at each signal receiver.
In the radio network health system with multiple receivers, the radio transmitting the signal is a mobile radio that moves between locations. At each location, the system measures the signal at each receiver and analyzes the signal characteristics. This determines how well the network is working across the mobile radio's coverage area.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising a second device determining a location of the first radio and a mapping device creating a network map showing the n sets of operating characteristics at the location of the first radio on the map, where the network health at the location of the first radio on the map is responsive to the n sets of operating characteristics.
The radio network health system with multiple receivers includes a location finder that determines the location of the transmitting radio and a mapping tool. The mapping tool displays the operating characteristics at the radio's location. This mapping helps visualize network health across the coverage area.
21. A method for determining network health, the network comprising a plurality of base station transceivers in bidirectional communication with a plurality of radios operating in the network each having a respective radio identifier, a first radio from the plurality of radios transmitting a transmitted signal including a first radio identifier during normal operation of the first radio, the method comprising receiving the transmitted signal at a first receiver proximate a first base station and at a second receiver proximate a second base station; measuring signal parameters of the transmitted signal with each of the first and second receivers; determining first and second operating characteristics responsive to, respectively, the transmitted signal as received at the first receiver and the transmitted signal as received at the second receiver; time aligning the first and second received signals to ensure that the first and second operating characteristics have been determined for the transmitted signal as received at the first receiver and as received at the second receiver; and determining network health responsive to the first and second operating characteristics.
A method for checking the health of a radio network with base stations and radios, involves a radio transmitting a signal. This signal is received by two receivers near base stations. Each receiver measures signal parameters and determines operating characteristics. The received signals are time-aligned, and network health is determined based on the operating characteristics.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the first radio comprises a mobile radio, and wherein as the mobile radio traverses a coverage area of the network, transmitted signals are transmitted from the first radio and from different locations of the coverage area, the method further comprising: for each one of the signals transmitted from different locations, determining first and second operating characteristics responsive to, respectively, the transmitted signal as received at the first receiver and the transmitted signal as received at the second receiver; and determining network health at each one of the different locations responsive to the first and second operating characteristics further responsive to the transmitted signal as received at the first receiver and the transmitted signal as received at the second receiver, the transmitted signal transmitted from different locations of the first radio.
In the radio network health check method, the radio sending the signal is a mobile radio that moves across the network. As it moves, it transmits signals from different locations. The method determines operating characteristics at each location. Network health at each location is then determined based on these characteristics.
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September 2, 2014
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